EXCLUSIVE: Former Employee Released by City of Mitchell After Nearly 18 Years of Service; Questions Raised Over Budget Priorities and Speech Rights

MITCHELL — New documentation and audio recordings obtained by Lawrence County Watchdog provide insight into the recent termination of a long-term Mitchell city worker, highlighting growing tensions over municipal speech, public access, and departmental funding.

Wayne Coble—who served nearly 10 years with the Mitchell Volunteer Fire Department and roughly 8 years with the City Water and Sewer Department—was officially served a Letter of Dismissal on August 21, 2026, signed directly by Mayor Don Caudell.

Termination & Speech Restrictions

While the written dismissal letter provided no formal cause, audio recorded during a subsequent discussion at City Hall confirms Mayor Caudell stated the termination was based on Coble allegedly "disrespecting elected officials" by being vocal during past interactions.

Addressing concerns over a citywide property restriction, Mayor Caudell clarified on record that while Coble is restricted from non-public city facilities like the street garage or water plant, his First Amendment right to attend open public City Council meetings remains intact.

"Council meetings are public meetings, so you can come to council meetings—that's not an issue," Mayor Caudell confirmed in the recording.

Whistleblower Raises Public Safety Budget Concerns

Following his release, Coble expressed strong concerns regarding how municipal resources are allocated between emergency services in Mitchell, questioning why funding for the Volunteer Fire Department has remained constrained while other municipal budgets have expanded.

For 2026, the Mitchell Volunteer Fire Department operates on a budget of just $61,000, compared to the city police department's budget approaching $1 million. Coble argues the disparity leaves local fire safety under-resourced.

Coble also noted that representatives from the Indiana State Board of Accounts (SBOA) are currently conducting audit procedures within the city.

Ongoing Investigation

An official inquiry has been submitted to the Mayor's Office requesting further comment on municipal property access policies and departmental budget allocations. Updates will be posted as additional public records become available.

UPDATE: City of Mitchell Issues Official Statement Following Dismissal of Longtime Employee

The City of Mitchell has issued an official statement regarding the dismissal of longtime city worker and volunteer firefighter Wayne Coble, following Lawrence County Watchdog’s initial report on August 26.

In the statement released by Mayor Don Caudell, the city cited workplace conduct as the core reason for the termination. While acknowledging Coble’s service, the Mayor stated that repeated instances of conduct left city staff feeling "disrespected and threatened."

📄 City of Mitchell Official Statement

"The City of Mitchell has dismissed a city employee who is also a member of the Mitchell Volunteer Fire Department. He has shown great passion for serving our community. While that dedication is appreciated, there were repeated instances where that passion became argumentative and disruptive, leaving other employees feeling disrespected and threatened. To ensure a safe and professional workplace for all staff, I determined that dismissal was necessary.

We remain grateful for the individual's past service and are committed to supporting the Volunteer Fire Department as it moves forward."

— Mayor Don Caudell